Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Apple's MacBook Air M3 excels as a ultraportable powerhouse with exceptional battery life (18 hours), superior display brightness (500 nits), and refined build quality at $1099. Lenovo's IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 counters with a larger 16-inch 120Hz display, double the RAM (16GB vs 8GB), twice the storage (512GB), and more ports including HDMI and SD card—ideal for content creators despite weighing 1.98kg and offering 11-hour battery life. Performance-wise, the M3's efficiency matches the Intel Core Ultra 7's raw power in everyday tasks. The MacBook Air dominates portability and longevity; the Lenovo prioritizes workspace and expandability. For frequent travelers prioritizing battery and minimalism, choose the MacBook Air. For desk-bound professionals needing screen real estate and connectivity, the IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 delivers better value with superior specs at a lower price.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 | Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.24 kg | 1.98 kg |
| Material | Aluminum unibody | Aluminum lid with plastic base |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215.0 x 11.3 mm | 356.2 x 248.2 x 18.9 mm |
| Ports | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | 1 |
| HDMI | — | 1 |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours wireless web | Up to 11 hours mixed use |
| Capacity | 52.6 Wh | 84 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.6 inches | 16.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LED | 2.5K IPS anti-glare |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1664 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 500 | 350 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 256 GB | 512 GB NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB unified | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU | 16-core (6P+8E+2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13" M3
Pros
- Light and portable at 1.24 kg
- Excellent fanless M3 efficiency
- Bright 500-nit Liquid Retina display
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
- Supports two external displays with lid closed
Cons
- 8 GB base RAM increasingly limiting
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 256 GB SSD uses single NAND chip with slower speeds
- No high-refresh display
- Limited port selection
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16
Pros
- Strong Intel Core Ultra 7 performance at an accessible price
- 2.5K 120Hz IPS display is excellent for the tier
- Full port suite including SD card and USB-A
- Upgradeable RAM and SSD
- 84 Wh battery supports all-day use
Cons
- Plastic base panel feels less premium
- Display brightness of 350 nits is modest
- No discrete GPU on base model
- Fans audible under sustained workloads
- Heavier than comparable ultrabooks
Related Comparisons
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M4 Pro
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Dell XPS 16 (9640)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Dell XPS 14 (9440)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 16 (2024)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs HP Spectre x360 16 (2024)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16 vs HP Envy 16 (2024)
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Lenovo products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Air 13" M3 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i 16.